Meet Rich Jamison, MACTE’s 2026 New Teacher of the Year

2026 MACTE Educator Spotlight Series

Rich Jamison’s teaching career began with a job posting and a question from his wife: “Think you could do that?” A longtime high school math teacher, she had spotted a job fair announcement shared by Hope High. Among the openings was Automotive Technology Instructor at Hancock County Technical Center (HCTC), and school was about to begin!

Mr. Jamison had plenty of experience to bring to the shop: a degree in automotive technology, credentials as an ASE Master Automotive Technician, Maine State Inspection licenses, and a background that stretched back to his childhood at his grandparents’ garage, Dick and Sons in Mexico, Maine. The hiring process moved quickly, and within days, he was attending professional development and preparing to meet his students. “I kind of fell into teaching,” he said. Four years later, he’s the Maine Administrators of Career and Technical Education's (MACTE) 2026 New Teacher of the Year.

Ask Mr. Jamison what he enjoys most about teaching, and he’ll tell you about the moment a student accomplishes something they weren’t sure they could do. “I think my favorite part of teaching is pushing kids outside their comfort zone, and seeing their eyes light up when they do THE THING!” In the automotive shop, “the thing” might mean using a blowtorch, setting up equipment, or finally getting a stubborn bolt to loosen. Each gives students a chance to work through a challenge and leave with a little more confidence.

His nomination describes a teacher who builds relationships through trust, respect, and high expectations. With students working in the classroom, inside the shop, and outside on vehicles, Jamison has established clear routines and safety procedures while drawing on his own experiences to connect with them.

Before he was an instructor, Mr. Jamison was a CTE student at Region 9, where an internship left an impression that still shapes his teaching. “I did an internship when I was a student at Region 9, and it was one of the most memorable experiences that I had in High School!” he said. “I am so happy to be able to share that with my students.”

Today, he works with local businesses to give students that same chance. He helped bring Maine Career Catalyst to HCTC and worked with Educate Maine and the Maine Department of Labor to develop automotive pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities with Darling’s and Stanley Subaru. He also helped the program earn its first ASE accreditation and brought six industry training programs into the classroom. Former students are now working full time in the trade, while others are pursuing further automotive education. For Mr. Jamison, those students are among his proudest successes.

Receiving the New Teacher of the Year Award came as a surprise. Mr. Jamison was unable to attend the conference because of a family emergency, but learning of the recognition gave him something special to share with his grandmother, Darlene Jamison, the day before she passed away. “A very special moment for me and my family,” he said.

He also gives plenty of credit to his colleagues. “I feel like I work with an amazing group of talented, dedicated individuals,” he said. “To be chosen from this group of exemplary educators is something I never expected.”

Get to Know Mr. Jamison

If your classroom had a theme song, what would it be?

“Further On Down The Road” by Taj Mahal.

What's something about you that your students might be surprised to learn?

“My Students might be surprised to learn that, out of necessity and negligence, I found myself hitch hiking on the Navajo Nation in Arizona...to New Mexico”

If you weren't teaching, what do you think you'd be doing?

“I really don't know where I would be. Probably something based either in the outdoors, like a fishing guide, or in a Recovery related field, as a counselor or group facilitator. Very likely that I would still be racing my snowboard!”